April 2013....from Flumper to Bump! (Part 4)

[toobreathless]

Over here!

Another place for us April 2013 Ladies!

We have old thread & stats threads as below:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1569780-April-2013-part-3-scan-scan-scan

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1560543-April-2013-stats-thread

As the days darken & winter approaches may this thread bring us all blossoming bumps, peaceful nights & more friendship and laughter.

teapig love John Lewis, could spend hours there! They do lovely nursery furniture too which Im going to have a look at soon. I'm just re using DS' pram which is an Icandy peach which I loved. Dream to push, easy to dismantle etc. It is heavy though and the back wheels are quite wide so doesn't really fit your spec. Not that helpful from me, sorry!

flaminnora good suggestion about the cuddly toy. Am going to try that, thanks.

Teapig I would start with a baby blanket if you're a complete beginner. They're a lot more forgiving than other baby items. You could just knit lots of squares in different pretty colours and then sew them together.

Had my 16week appt this afternoon midwife was lovely she popped me straight on bed to find heart beat, took her a while an after a few mins said dont worry sometimes at this stage it can be hard to find at which point I was panicking think she saw it in my face so dug a bit deeper and there it was clear as day about 150bp, glad it seemed baby has moved up as now I can claim my bump is some baby and not all biscuits

It seems I won't get flu jab unless I ask she Said they were doing them today but after having a fever for the lat 24hrs and puking like a lord I figured it'd be better off waiting a week or two!

Asked in the pharmacy today if vapour rub is safe to use she said only a tiny amount :( I was enjoying sniffing on that too!

Knitting!!! Oh my I wouldn't know where to start but I do have a knitting mum and aunt so I will have all the knitted goods I could ever need hehe!!

I thought I was 16 today but she says 16+2 this changes every time I spk to someone different lol!

All you knitters welcome to the yarnside. I am midway through my third baby blanket... Crochet though. Attic24 designs, baby ripple, baby hexagon and baby granny. I plan on knitting a baby ripple. I've also knitted a pair of socks for teeny toes, a hat to match, then DD's new winter hat, DH's hat and I have cast on another mossstitch cardi for DD, all since finding out about DC2. The trick is to do it while watching something not too gripping. Also stops you snacking on crap.

I bought a debbie bliss book baby knits for beginners. Very easy patterns, I still go back to it as the patterns are nice and simple. I am a yarn addict and have so much, i could knit for a year without needing to buy more.

I however cannot do lacework or cable, my brain can not compute these aspects.

For free patterns try ravelry, feel free to add me, same username. The search can narrow down by simplicity.

Also garter stitch looks amazing when you use a variegated yarn, like sirdar baby crofter. I am not one to choose pastels, love seeing babies in bright knits. DD has a bright yellow hat I knitted for her as a baby, still fits and always gets comments.

We shall probably have to start a thread for pregnant knitters or hookers.

Really recommend the crochet ripple, baby size is about 18'' square. Attic 24 instruction is good. I've used 4 colours and they look cool. Good for beginners.

Missmuffet if you are worried try snuffle babes, fine to use on little babes, fine for mummy. Mind you, I was fine with vapour rub and olbas oil! I had the flu jab last year, have asked for it again, but no appt through yet. Still got quite a few little colds though.

Re the knitting - I've found it helpful to keep my hands busy, not obsessively MNetting! I did a cross stitch (first successful attempt at one of those too!) which I enjoyed but I found knitting allows me to actually look at the tv too! :)

missmuffet glad you found the heartbeat and it being reassuring. I waited for a week til I finished antibiotics for a UTI. Score having my flu jab, it can make you feel kind of rough so best not added to current illness!

Oh I'm 15+0 today!

for those of you who are novice knitters just did a little googling around and this seems to be a good website with lots of step by step instructions for those of you who are struggling good luck

www.knittingpatterncentral.com/

oh keep on forgetting to add 17+2!

Am inspired by the knitting chat! May well have to jump on the bandwagon..

On another note, does anyone know of any good, safe exercise DVDs for use during pregnancy? I'm used to playing netball three times a week and lots in between but have had three months of nothing but the odd walk due to sickness so am keen to get back some of my fitness!

Any suggestions gratefully received!

15 + 2

Bambino29 Yep, bland stuff is where it's at. I've spent a WONDERFUL morning throwing up bile so it;s kind of necessary too. So much for this going away after the 1st trimester.

aufaniae yes, Homerton - as long as they let me stay! I know only part of Waltham Forest is in their catchement area. The MW was great and is referring me for something extra that my sister wasn't in Enfield despite it being a common family problem, so I am already impressed.

teapig thanks for the 'awesometow' tips. Am really looking forward to moving there as it seems a great place, and crazily cheap on the rental market, thankfully.

On knitting, I have knitted for years but am a permanent amateur and never finish projects! I dug out a pair of bootees I'd started years ago and got halfway before it became too difficult. Maybe I can persevere and make them for my own. I get all my free patterns from the brilliant Ravelry

Shea butter is gorgeous. I love the smell. If it works on stretchmarks, even better.

I am a complete novice knitter however was inspired by a pregnant colleague years ago and followed a pattern for a cuddly bunny, actually was supper easy, as was in parts then just sewed together. So can combine that with the idea of giving baba a mummy smelling teddy. We also went along to 'stitch and bitch' groups, which were brilliant, free and you get loads of help and tips from knitting enthusiasts. In London they meet in fabulous venues, like The National Theatre-cafe part and you go along and sit in the cafe and just pull out your needles as code and you all get together. Not at all intimidating even for a brand new knitter. Their websites are

www.stitchandbitchlondon.co.uk

And nationwide

stitchnbitch.org

Thank you for inspiring me to start again!

17+3

Thanks for all the knitting tips, I can't wait to get started.

Good point on fitness dvds bambino. I still haven't made it to the swimming pool, think need something I can do at home as and when I have time.

Hope the sickness passes for everyone who has it, roll on the bloom!

16+0

Morning all. Re fitness, I was doing nothing and starting to really get used to it, so made myself sign up for a pregnancy yoga class. I've only been a couple of times but it has given me loads more energy and enthusiasm. Inspired by that I've dusted down the wii fit which I used to find pretty unchallenging but now seems about right. Just finished my first shot on it for years and delighted that bumpkin and I have a wiifit age of 26 (simple pleasures, I'm 32). Just thought I'd mention it as I know loads of people who have one they never use and it seems a good way to ease yourself back into some exercise (also really recommend pregnancy yoga so far, but I know some people can't get to/afford a class).

Off to 16 week midwife in a bit so better get ready. Hope everyone has a blooming day (in the nicest possible way)
16+5

bambino I've been using Erin O'brien's Complete Pregnancy Fitness, which i excellent and really gets you sweating (in an appropriate way for pregnancy) so not one for people who didn't exercise before pregnancy, but great for you if you did netball! It also comes with a postnatal recovery DVD. yay! I also use Tara Lee's Pregnancy Health with Yoga, which is a hatha based yoga for relaxation and childbirth prep. Both are excellent and I interchange depending on my energy levels.

I'm going to try a local Active Birth antenatal yoga class on Sat because although I'm doing a fair bit at home, I'd like to meet other local (ish, it's in the next town) pregnant ladies rather than waiting until NCT starts next year.

I've actually had a week off exercise as I had a bit of hospital drama in the last week. Last Weds, my bladder stopped working and I was in agony busting for the loo for hours and hours. Ended up in A&E, then admitted to hospital for 3 days with a catheter (yuk! but relief) and bladder/kidney infection tests etc. No infections and the Docs had no idea why it''s happening and it's not usual.

They took the tube out and got it going again then had a repeat episode over the weekend with the second tube out on Monday. OK for now, so FX my bladder stays working and the baby rises up (I think it's growing but perhaps not risen yet???). It was really worrying and uncomfortable and I don't fancy another catheter!

Anyone else had or heard of this?

15+1

So what happens at a 16 week appointment? Got mine later today, not sure what to expect.

Did you need to take a sample to yours? (I rang the surgery to ask but they didn't know).

Growyourown: I have heard if this but only on cases where the mum's uterus is tipped back/retroverted.
I hope it doesn't happen again.

Aufanie They will want a midstream urine sample, mine just give you a thingy when you arrive so you might want to take a drink with you. Otherwise, I think its just blood pressure & a quick chat, make sure you think before you go in about anything you need to talk about and maybe even write it down as I heard the appointment can be quite fast. Also, its common to try for the heartbeat again though you might have to ask for it rather than be offered.

Grownyourown I have heard of it but I know its very unusual, did they mention if your uterus is retroverted? I believe that can cause blockages in early pregnancy.

Just ordered Erin O'Brien - thanks for the advice. I've been utterly lazy since starting IVF but I'm slowly starting to get more energy back and really don't want to be totally unfit when the big day comes

14+1

Thanks usernamegoeshere :)

Thanks Bonodea, I should quit grumbling at just 2 injections when you have 5 a day! Good to hear it isn't something to worry about and I can inject somewhere other than my stomach too, you've really helped put my mind at rest.

puerperium I highly recommend this cardigan pattern for boy or girl, pattern is free on ravelry for newborn sized. I have knitted quite a few of these now and was my first time knitting top down and is seamless in construction. It is a quick-ish knit for me and good for those of you a little bit more experienced.

ten stitch blanket this has short rows and makes an off square blanket, but looks lovely with a variegated yarn [as shown].

Really recommend stitch and bitch [or similar groups] there are lots locally around here, I am sure you'll find a group near you. Good for beginners who need a helping hand. I have listed my name under skills swap on my mumsnet local [bath] for knitting or crochet help.

jj247 - just check with your doctor that you can use other sites. For insulin it can be just about anywhere, but not sure exactly what you are taking.

Can't believe all the knitters. Could just about do a plain stitch when I was a little girl, but am sure it would be beyond me now!

I read that too cadmum nad username but mine's slightly forward (normal) so docs totally puzzled.

Spoke to midwife today and she said it's not acceptable that I've been to two hospitals and not seen a urologist, so she sent me to GP who is referring me for a follow up to investigate further in case it happens again when baby gets bigger. Still peeing for now though...

well I hope it is all better now Grownyourown must be really scary not to mention uncomfortable.

I thought I would be "blooming" by now, but I seem to be skipping that part. Still spotting (since about 5 weeks) & I know that I had 2 scans, heard heartbeat a couple of days ago but I am still really anxious. Am bloated, I have period pains (albeit mild ones) my nausea has returned (mostly night time), my skin has left spotty & entered so dry I look ill.

16+5

Hi all,
username - I'm still waiting for my glow too!! I'm permanently tired and ravenous- absolutely starving!

By lunchtime I'm quite uncomfy in my normal clothes so going to see if I can get some maternity bits at the weekend. It's not my baby bump that's too big- it's the bit on top that the baby is pushing up! Does anyone know what I mean? I seem to have a two-tier bump- a hard baby bit, and a squishy fat bit above that!!
X
17+3
X

Wishful am glad I am not the only one with a 2 tier arrangement going on! Lol! Looking forward to my upper bulge merging with the bump. I don't look overly pregnant at 18 weeks though and if I hadnt been a bit wobbly in the middle beforehand it would not be noticeable at all.